No justification

Friday

Aug 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Yes, the death of Trayvon Martin was tragic. It wasn’t, however, because he was black and walking through an unfamiliar neighborhood.

In reference to the A-CURE ad in the July 28 News Herald (Page B6): Yes, the death of Trayvon Martin was tragic. It wasn’t, however, because he was black and walking through an unfamiliar neighborhood. It was because he allegedly attacked a man, threw him to the ground and began to pound his head against the concrete. Too bad Trayvon was never told that if you attack someone, be ready to accept the consequences.

As for tragedies, there is the murder of a 13-month-old baby, in his .stroller, allegedly by two black teenagers, who then shot the child’s mother. What was the reason for this murder? Why isn’t A-CURE enraged about this? When George Zimmerman shot Martin there was a very good reason: He had been attacked. He had every reason to fear for his life and his survival instincts kicked in. Who among the A-CURE folks, or anyone of us for that matter, would not have reacted in the same way?

I know I would have. I am a middle-aged white woman, and if I had been faced with the same situation, even if my attacker was a teenage white girl, I would have shot to kill if the attacker did not stop. If a child is old enough to attempt to kill another, he is old enough to be killed.

The word “child” brings to mind the image of sweet innocence, but today’s children are not all sweet innocents. Teachers, in their classrooms, are told by elementary-age students that they will punch them in the face. If overt belligerence toward authority figures is present at such a young age, imagine what the future will bring.

A-CURE is spending its money trying to justify Martin’s alleged attack of Zimmerman. It needs to be spending its money helping families raise socially responsible, well-mannered children, deserving of respect. It needs to do something about stopping crime in its communities.

As for racial profiling, how did this profile get started? Who committed the offences that made up the profile? By past experiences, that’s how. We all avoid or are wary of certain things because we know from past experience that they are problematic. Children are warned not to get into cars with strangers, because we know from past experience what can happen to them.

Only those who would wish to be able to harm others without fear of consequences would want to see our “Stand Your Ground” law repealed.

ANDREA HATCHER Panama City

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